The Chocolate War

The Chocolate War

Robert Cormier

ISBN: 0-440-94459-7

Dell-Laurel Leaf 1974/2000

Plot Summary: At Trinity High School, The Vigils are a secret society controlling and manipulating the school behind he scenes. The even have Brother Leon on their side and he is the Headmaster. Every year there are chocolate sales, and this is the fist year someone challenges the order. Jerry refuses to sell chocolates and at first he is celebrated for speaking against the system, but then Archie the leader of The Vigils decides Jerry must sell chocolates or else...

Mysteriously Jerry is beat up one evening and the next day he is completely ignored, and in addition, he feels he should hide. He is ostracized and an outcast in the school. He feels like giving in at one point, but his father tells him he shouldn't be bullied into it.

After a great deal of humiliation and challenges, Jerry is beat up by Archie. In his head he thinks about how he should have given in. And it appears Archie wins the Chocolate Wars.

Critical Analysis: Jerry challenges the bullies with simple protest, and demonstrates appropriate and respectable behavior. He is initially celebrated for his protest, but once he is labeled untouchable by the Vigils, Jerry is an outcast. The book conveys the profound pain and humiliation caused by bullying, and readers can understand the impact social politics have on teens.

Annotation: Jerry attends Trinity High School and refuses to participate in the annual chocolate sales. As a result a social war ensues also known as the "chocolate wars."

Author Information: Cormier has been called the "single most important writer for YA novels." He was born January 17, 1925 in Leonmister, MA.

Genre: YA novel

Curriculum Ties: English Literature; discuss bullying

Booktalking Ideas:
1.) When they beat up Jerry the first time in the hoods, the book states they wanted to kill him and make him blind. Why is Jerry so threatening to the Vigils?
2.) Why do people fear change and what is different?
3.) Jerry wonders after they beat him up why if they are the ones committing violent acts, is he the one hiding, and behaving like a wanted criminal? What does that say about oppression in society?

Challenge Issues: Violence, Bullying

I would point out the potential lessons regarding bullying available in this book and how teens need to have a chance to talk about this type of bullying with adults.

I would also share the selection policies for San Diego County Libraries: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.41_material-selection.pdf If after my working to convince the patron, they still were not satisfied and wanted to file a grievance, I would provide the needed paper work and then it would go to the “Challenged Materials” team for San Diego County and then onward until there is resolution: http://dbpcosdcsgt.co.san-diego.ca.us/screens/Intranet/policy/sdcl-policy_O.34_intellectual_freedom.pdf

Selection Reasons: This book illustrates the damage bullying can cause, and also has a strong exploration of hyper masculine behavior. Our society is so harsh on outsiders, and I feel this book is useful in exploring the violence in bullying and showing how it only gets worse if ignored because humiliation, physical abuse, and aggression haunt the victim and shape their experiences for good or bad.